Trump is reportedly trying to go scorched earth on his move to revoke security clearances

President Donald Trump believes that his decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance was strong and decisive, according to a Washington Post report published Thursday that cited unnamed current and former White House officials.

Trump is reportedly eager to take action against other people he believes either criticised him or were involved in the Russia investigation, aides told The Post.

“The process is essentially meaningless,” one White House aide told The Post. “If Trump wants to do it, he’ll just do it.”

Brennan stood out to Trump because the president thought the former CIA director’s TV appearances were becoming too “political,” aides reportedly said.

President Donald Trump believes that his decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance was strong and decisive, and he’s eager to revoke others, according to a Washington Post report published Thursday that cited unnamed White House officials.

Trump could soon take action on several current and former officials who he believes either criticised him or were involved in the Russia investigation, a possibility that has worried some White House aides, The Post reported.

The aides were reportedly scrambling to assess Trump’s list of officials subject to punishment, which includes former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former NSA Director Michael Hayden, and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates.

Despite aides telling Trump that some former officials who were on his list, like former FBI Director James Comey and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, already lost their security clearances when they were fired, Trump insisted they be included, senior officials told The Post.

“The process is essentially meaningless,” one White House aide said. “If Trump wants to do it, he’ll just do it.”

Trump reportedly grew irate early this summer over the increasing number of officials criticising him. Aides have said Trump believed that some were using their stature as former federal government employees to make money.

Brennan, whose security-clearance revocation was announced Wednesday, particularly stood out to Trump after appearing on TV and becoming, in Trump’s view, too “political,” aides told The Post.

The former CIA director has been especially critical of Trump during his presidency and accused him of “political corruption,” along with other unflattering charges on Twitter.

I served 6 Presidents, 3 Rs & 3Ds. I directly supported Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama. While I didn't agree with all their policy choices, I admired and respected all of them, as they put country above their personal interests. Not so with you, as your self adoration is disgraceful https://t.co/A1brb0HW3V

It never ceases to amaze me how successful you have been making yourself so small, petty, and banal with your tweets. Your insecurity is well deserved, as is your concern over Russia investigation. Thomas Paine was right when he said, "These are the times that try men's souls." https://t.co/EfaDBlYejF

The White House accused Brennan of “erratic conduct and behaviour” in explaining its decision, also questioning his “objectivity and credibility.”

“Mr. Brennan’s lying and recent conduct, characterised by increasingly frenzied commentary, is wholly inconsistent with access to the nation’s most closely held secrets and facilitates the very aim of our adversaries, which is to sow division and chaos,” a White House statement said.

Brennan adamantly denied that characterization and made several fiery statements on Twitter and in The New York Times.

“Mr. Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him,” Brennan wrote in a Times op-ed article.

Other former officials rallied to Brennan’s defence, including the retired Adm. William McRaven, a former Navy SEAL who commanded the US Joint Special Operations Command.

McRaven, who oversaw the raid that took out Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, delivered a stunning rebuke of Trump in an op-ed article published Thursday and described Brennan as “one of the finest public servants.”

“He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him,” McRaven wrote in a Washington Post article.

“Therefore, I would consider it an honour if you would revoke my security clearance as well,” McRaven added, “so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.”

“You don’t have to agree with what John Brennan says (and, again, not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information,” the statement said. “We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case.”

Alex Wong/Getty ImagesThe special counsel Robert Mueller.

If Trump were to carry out a mass revocation, it could attract unwanted attention from the special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.

Muller’s team of investigators has been looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election as well as whether Trump tried to obstruct justice in connection to the investigation.

Trump has made clear that his decision to revoke Brennan’s security clearance was based at least in part on Mueller’s investigation, adding that it was “something that had to be done.”

“I call it the rigged witch hunt, [it] is a sham,” Trump said in reference to Mueller’s investigation, according to The Wall Street Journal. “And these people led it.”